Mohali to roll out ‘sporting wicket’
We have not made a new wicket for the one-dayer. We hosted a couple of matches during the recent JP Atray tournament here, and that wicket will be used for the tie... Basically, a wicket on which the team batting second can chase without the pitch deteriorating... DALJIT SINGH, Chief curator
CHANDIGARH: With the five-match series tied 1-1, the third ODI in Mohali on Sunday will be crucial for both teams. While the Dharamsala and Delhi ODIs weren’t high-scoring, the Mohali wicket promises to be full of runs with the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) rolling out a ‘sporting wicket’.
India’s record at the IS Bindra Stadium, eight wins out of 13 matches, will lift the hosts who will be feeling rankled after the loss in Delhi by six runs. If chief curator Daljit Singh is to be believed, the conditions will favour stroke-play and it will be a perfect ODI wicket, having something for everyone.
“We have not made a new wicket for the ODI. We hosted a couple of matches during the recent JP Atray tournament here, and that wicket will be used for the tie. Usually, an ODI wicket is batsmen-friendly these days. The PCA will have a sporting wicket, there will be bounce besides being good for stroke making. Basically, a wicket on which the team batting second can chase without the pitch deteriorating,” said Daljit.
With a dip in temperature, the region has been witnessing a low of 16-17 degrees. However, the days are sunny and hot. In such circumstances, dew can come into play and the team winning the toss might chose to field to avoid inconvenience to the spinners in the second innings.
Daljit felt the match starting an hour earlier (1.30pm instead of 2.30) would help negate such hassles. “Dew usually interferes in day-night matches in this part of the country but starting an hour earlier has helped in combating the problem. Though we might see dew coming in towards the end of the second innings, we will be taking measures. We will stop watering the wicket, cut the grass low and use a wetting agent.”
Meanwhile, ticket sales have been brisk with fans flocking to the outlets to book their seats. With the Kiwis pulling off a dramatic win in Delhi, the series has definitely come alive.